Donnelly College and Community in Schools of Northeast Kansas have partnered to connect 4th
graders at M.E. Pearson and Whittier Elementary Schools in Kansas City,
Kansas, with Donnelly’s Soccer Club for a free Soccer Clinic.
The clinic will take place Saturday, March 31st from
10:00am-12:00pm at City Park, 3499 Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66102.
Donnelly students that are members of the College’s Soccer Club will
lead the 4th grade students of both elementary schools in
soccer drills. Snacks, give-a-ways and music will help to make the
clinic a fun event.
This program is an outreach of the mission each organization. Donnelly
College aims to make college accessible and fosters student success
through holistic supports that promote college graduation.
Communities In Schools of Northeast Kansas aims to surround K-12
students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school
and achieve in life.
“Here in Kansas City, Kansas, we instantly noticed a passion for soccer
in our elementary students,” said Jamie Thiessen, Communities In
Schools of Northeast Kansas’ Site Coordinator for M.E. Pearson and
Whittier Elementary Schools.
Because of that, CIS created a soccer team, playing in Fall and Spring,
that practices at or near the school, and participates in the local
Parks and Recreation League. The interest is so great that CIS has to
turn away students once the team is full, Thiessen says.
“Through the soccer team, we are able to teach our students soccer
skills, official game rules, and teamwork, as well as improve school
attendance and give them a safe place to play after school,” according
to Thiessen. “By partnering with Donnelly College’s Soccer Club, our
students will learn new skills to help their game. Also, we hope the
connection with Donnelly will help them think about their future and
going to college will be an underlying result."
Donnelly College’s Office of Service Learning coordinated with CIS to help organize the clinic.
“The clinic gives Donnelly students the opportunity to give back to
their community while also giving them another chance to practice the
skills in leadership and effective communication that are being
developed in the classroom,” said Andrew Julo, Donnelly’s Service
Learning Coordinator. “Donnelly’s service learning initiative is always
looking for more ways to engage students at the College by providing
them with real world experiences that contribute to their learning in
addition to having a positive impact on the community.”
Friday, March 30, 2012
KCKCC debate team only sixth team since 1941 chosen for National Debate Tournament
By ALAN HOSKINS
Just when it looks like Kansas City Kansas Community College debate can’t reach any higher peaks, Coach Darren Elliott’s team makes more history.
“For the first time in the history of KCKCC, we have earned a bid to the AFA National Debate Tournament (NDT), the oldest national debate tournament in the country and the debate equivalent to the NCAA basketball tournament,” said Elliott, whose team already has a record eight straight national Phi Rho Pi championships.
“Only five other community college teams since 1941 have qualified for the NDT so we are now the sixth. To qualify is an amazing accomplishment as the NDT is an elite tournament dominated by the top juniors and seniors from the nation’s best universities.”
The KCKCC team of Thomas Garvey and Ryan McFarland were advised of their invitation at ‘Selection Monday.’
“Only the top 78 teams in the nation are invited and the last 16 spots, known as second-round bids, were announced on Monday,” said Elliott. The national tournament will be held this weekend in Duluth, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta.
KCKCC joins an impressive group of universities who were also among the final 16 selected including Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Wake Forest, West Georgia, Arizona State, Baylor, Harvard, Northwestern, Texas, Missouri State and Trinity.
The selection of the duo of McFarland and Garvey comes on the heels of the Blue Devils winning a seventh CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) Community College national championship held last weekend at the University of Oklahoma.
The CEDA national championship is based on season-long success and KCKCC nearly doubled the point totals of runnerup Los Rios College and third place Johnson County.
Both McFarland and Garvey were named CEDA All-Americans.
“Only 30 debaters in the entire country are chosen for this honor and to have two from KCKCC named All-Americans is a great accomplishment,” said Elliott.
Three KCKCC teams reached the elimination rounds of the national CEDA tournament, the varsity duos of McFarland and Garvey and freshman combo of Josh Miller and Evan Johnson and the novice team of Marin Loken and Justin Parks. A field of 157 teams were in the varsity field, which was then trimmed to 54 teams.
Garvey and McFarland were eliminated in the first round in a narrow 2-1 decision to Missouri State while Miller and Johnson lost in the first round to last year’s returning champions from Kansas State.
Miller and Johnson compiled a 5-3 record in the preliminaries highlighted by a win over No. 5 ranked Kansas, one of only two losses for the Jayhawks in the tournament. Loken and Parks were eliminated in the Novice quarterfinals by Florida.
The Blue Devils will wrap up the 2011-12 season April 9-14 when they’ll go after a record ninth straight national Phi Rho Pi championship in the national tourney hosted by Moraine Valley Community College in Schaumburg, Ill., 35 miles outside of Chicago.
Just when it looks like Kansas City Kansas Community College debate can’t reach any higher peaks, Coach Darren Elliott’s team makes more history.
“For the first time in the history of KCKCC, we have earned a bid to the AFA National Debate Tournament (NDT), the oldest national debate tournament in the country and the debate equivalent to the NCAA basketball tournament,” said Elliott, whose team already has a record eight straight national Phi Rho Pi championships.
“Only five other community college teams since 1941 have qualified for the NDT so we are now the sixth. To qualify is an amazing accomplishment as the NDT is an elite tournament dominated by the top juniors and seniors from the nation’s best universities.”
The KCKCC team of Thomas Garvey and Ryan McFarland were advised of their invitation at ‘Selection Monday.’
“Only the top 78 teams in the nation are invited and the last 16 spots, known as second-round bids, were announced on Monday,” said Elliott. The national tournament will be held this weekend in Duluth, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta.
KCKCC joins an impressive group of universities who were also among the final 16 selected including Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Wake Forest, West Georgia, Arizona State, Baylor, Harvard, Northwestern, Texas, Missouri State and Trinity.
The selection of the duo of McFarland and Garvey comes on the heels of the Blue Devils winning a seventh CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) Community College national championship held last weekend at the University of Oklahoma.
The CEDA national championship is based on season-long success and KCKCC nearly doubled the point totals of runnerup Los Rios College and third place Johnson County.
Both McFarland and Garvey were named CEDA All-Americans.
“Only 30 debaters in the entire country are chosen for this honor and to have two from KCKCC named All-Americans is a great accomplishment,” said Elliott.
Three KCKCC teams reached the elimination rounds of the national CEDA tournament, the varsity duos of McFarland and Garvey and freshman combo of Josh Miller and Evan Johnson and the novice team of Marin Loken and Justin Parks. A field of 157 teams were in the varsity field, which was then trimmed to 54 teams.
Garvey and McFarland were eliminated in the first round in a narrow 2-1 decision to Missouri State while Miller and Johnson lost in the first round to last year’s returning champions from Kansas State.
Miller and Johnson compiled a 5-3 record in the preliminaries highlighted by a win over No. 5 ranked Kansas, one of only two losses for the Jayhawks in the tournament. Loken and Parks were eliminated in the Novice quarterfinals by Florida.
The Blue Devils will wrap up the 2011-12 season April 9-14 when they’ll go after a record ninth straight national Phi Rho Pi championship in the national tourney hosted by Moraine Valley Community College in Schaumburg, Ill., 35 miles outside of Chicago.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Haley praises bill that brings Kansas laws in line with ADA standards
News release from Senator Haley's office:
TOPEKA –Senator David Haley, D-Kansas City, represented the Kansas Legislature at the Topeka Statehouse for the signing of House Bill 2335, which brings Kansas laws in line with federal ADA standards.
“The inequity between federal and state statutes has caused undue confusion among disabled Kansans and their employers,” said Senator Haley. “By aligning state and federal policies regarding disability rights, we can ensure that every Kansan is protected against discrimination in the workplace.”
Under current Kansas law, companies with four or more employees must recognize disability rights guidelines. Under federal ADA regulations, however, only companies with 25 or more employees are subjected to disability law. HB2335 will unify standards for Kansas companies with four to 24 employees.
“Disparity among state and federal guidelines has also caused confusion among the courts, making it unnecessarily difficult for a disabled Kansan to file a discrimination suit against an employer,” Senator Haley added. “Clarifying these rules not only protects every disabled Kansans right to file a discrimination complaint, it will secure nearly $130,000 in federal funds.”
According to the Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC), 236 disability employment complaints were filed jointly with the EEOC in fiscal year 2009. Investigation of these cases totaled $129,800, all paid by federal EEOC grant monies. Without passage of HB2335, the State of Kansas risked losing these federal funds should the EEOC refuse to contract with the KHRC for the investigation of complaints.
“Work is a fundamental part of most Kansans lives. It’s how we define ourselves and our role in society,” said Senator Haley. “As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and public affairs counsel to several organizations that either hire or champion the rights of all people, irrespective of individual challenges, I am proud to support a bill that will ensure every Kansan’s right to earn a living without fear of discrimination.”
The full bill can be found at: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/ documents/hb2335_01_0000.pdf
Physician-in-Chief named for KU Cancer Center
Terance T. Tsue, MD, a distinguished Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgeon and researcher, has been named the first Physician-in-Chief for
The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
In this position, Dr. Tsue (pronounced sue-A) provides the clinical oversight at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, ranked 44th nationally among hospital cancer programs by U.S. News & World Report.
“The clinical care program has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best,” said Dr. Tsue. “I think there are tremendous opportunities to enhance our record of success in our merger with Kansas City Cancer Center and our close collaboration with the booming cancer research activity on campus. We can build upon the quality of multidisciplinary care, which has become the hallmark on our patient-focused program.”
The
Physician-in-Chief position reports both to Roy Jensen, MD, director of
The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Bob Page, president and
chief executive officer of The University of Kansas Hospital.
“Terry Tsue has a track record of bringing different disciplines together to benefit patient care. He is both a caring physician and an outstanding researcher who will help both the clinical and research elements in the cancer center continue their spectacular record of quality and growth,” said Page.
Dr. Tsue is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at The University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
He has served on the faculty of The University of Kansas School of Medicine since 1996, rising to become the Douglas A. Girod, MD, Endowed Professor of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, and Vice Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat)-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Tsue’s specific areas of interests include tumors of the mouth, throat, voice box, neck and thyroid glands.
This includes utilization of the latest techniques for preservation for tissues and function--including conservation laryngeal surgery and the endoscopic removal of head and neck cancers using laser and robotic techniques.
Dr. Tsue is nationally recognized for his expertise in reconstruction of head and neck defects including microvascular reconstruction of the jaw.
He also works closely with a multidisciplinary team to manage tumors of the skullbase--including the endoscopic removal of tumors and combined procedures involving neurosurgical approaches.
In this position, Dr. Tsue (pronounced sue-A) provides the clinical oversight at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, ranked 44th nationally among hospital cancer programs by U.S. News & World Report.
“The clinical care program has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best,” said Dr. Tsue. “I think there are tremendous opportunities to enhance our record of success in our merger with Kansas City Cancer Center and our close collaboration with the booming cancer research activity on campus. We can build upon the quality of multidisciplinary care, which has become the hallmark on our patient-focused program.”
The
Physician-in-Chief position reports both to Roy Jensen, MD, director of
The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Bob Page, president and
chief executive officer of The University of Kansas Hospital.“Terry Tsue has a track record of bringing different disciplines together to benefit patient care. He is both a caring physician and an outstanding researcher who will help both the clinical and research elements in the cancer center continue their spectacular record of quality and growth,” said Page.
Dr. Tsue is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at The University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
He has served on the faculty of The University of Kansas School of Medicine since 1996, rising to become the Douglas A. Girod, MD, Endowed Professor of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, and Vice Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat)-Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Tsue’s specific areas of interests include tumors of the mouth, throat, voice box, neck and thyroid glands.
This includes utilization of the latest techniques for preservation for tissues and function--including conservation laryngeal surgery and the endoscopic removal of head and neck cancers using laser and robotic techniques.
Dr. Tsue is nationally recognized for his expertise in reconstruction of head and neck defects including microvascular reconstruction of the jaw.
He also works closely with a multidisciplinary team to manage tumors of the skullbase--including the endoscopic removal of tumors and combined procedures involving neurosurgical approaches.
T-Bones name Kenny Hook as new baseball manager
By STAN DUITSMAN, tbonesbaseball.com
The Kansas City T-Bones have announced that Kenny Hook has been promoted to manager for the 2012 season.
Hook takes the reins after the departure of Tim Doherty, who will be joining the Boston Red Sox as coaching staff assistant.
Doherty, who had been with the T-Bones since their inaugural 2003 season, will be with the Red Sox when they open the season at the Detroit Tigers on April 5.
“We appreciate Tim’s life-long service to the T-Bones and applaud him on his opportunity to join the Boston Red Sox organization,” T-Bones owner John Ehlert said.
Hook played locally for Crowder College and Benedictine before signing
his first professional contract with the Amarillo Dillas in 1997.
He earned league championship MVP honors during Amarillo’s championship season in 1999 before becoming a player/coach for the Rio Grande Valley Whitewings in 2001.
He spent the 2011 season as bench coach for the T-Bones.
“We are pleased to have Kenny guide the T-Bones during our 10th anniversary season,” T-Bones’ Vice President and General Manager Chris Browne said. “Kenny is a Kansas City guy who has developed a wide network throughout independent baseball over the years. He has worked closely with Tim to build the team this offseason and we are excited to have him at the helm this summer.”
Andy Shipman will serve as pitching coach under Hook. Kansas City legend Frank White will assist with various bench roles and coach first base.
“I would like to express my appreciation to John and Adam Ehlert for this opportunity, as well as Chris and Tim for their help as well” Hook said. “I have been working towards the goal of becoming a manager, and to have the chance to do so in my hometown is very special. I couldn’t ask for a better organization to work for with the support we receive from both the front office and all the fans.”
Doherty and the Red Sox will make their lone visit to Kansas City for a three-game series against the Royals from May 7-9.
The Kansas City T-Bones have announced that Kenny Hook has been promoted to manager for the 2012 season.
Hook takes the reins after the departure of Tim Doherty, who will be joining the Boston Red Sox as coaching staff assistant.
Doherty, who had been with the T-Bones since their inaugural 2003 season, will be with the Red Sox when they open the season at the Detroit Tigers on April 5.
“We appreciate Tim’s life-long service to the T-Bones and applaud him on his opportunity to join the Boston Red Sox organization,” T-Bones owner John Ehlert said.
Hook played locally for Crowder College and Benedictine before signing
his first professional contract with the Amarillo Dillas in 1997.He earned league championship MVP honors during Amarillo’s championship season in 1999 before becoming a player/coach for the Rio Grande Valley Whitewings in 2001.
He spent the 2011 season as bench coach for the T-Bones.
“We are pleased to have Kenny guide the T-Bones during our 10th anniversary season,” T-Bones’ Vice President and General Manager Chris Browne said. “Kenny is a Kansas City guy who has developed a wide network throughout independent baseball over the years. He has worked closely with Tim to build the team this offseason and we are excited to have him at the helm this summer.”
Andy Shipman will serve as pitching coach under Hook. Kansas City legend Frank White will assist with various bench roles and coach first base.
“I would like to express my appreciation to John and Adam Ehlert for this opportunity, as well as Chris and Tim for their help as well” Hook said. “I have been working towards the goal of becoming a manager, and to have the chance to do so in my hometown is very special. I couldn’t ask for a better organization to work for with the support we receive from both the front office and all the fans.”
Doherty and the Red Sox will make their lone visit to Kansas City for a three-game series against the Royals from May 7-9.
Sustainable Earth Community focus of conference March 30-31
Building a sustainable earth community will be the focus of the 5th annual “Breaking the Silence Conference” to be held at the Reardon Convention Center in downtown Kansas City, Kan., Friday and Saturday, March 30-31.
A community-based environmental gathering co-hosted by Kansas City Kansas Community College, the conference will explore what the American public should be educating each other as well as the youth, future leaders and voters.
David Oberbillig, an Einstein Fellow on loan to the U.S. Department of Energy, will give the keynote address at a noon luncheon on Saturday in the main ballroom of the Reardon Center at 520 Minnesota Ave. in downtown KCK.
Themes to be discussed at the two-day conference include concerns for Regional Waste Management and Move to Amend; Social Responsibility; the Beyond Coal Campaign; and Environmental Literacy.
The conference will also feature STEM Education, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineer and Math, four areas of study that are aggressively being taught in local schools and are designed to lead to future employment for the youth of the area.
“The objective is to share with parents, grandparents and the public at large the effort our academic institutions are using to prepare their students:” said Richard Mabion of “Breaking the Silence.”
Several members of the KCKCC faculty and staff will participate in the programs along with student volunteers.
The conference will open Friday evening with a workshop on deepening the understanding and practice of the creative power of non-violence for personal and social transformation, finding alternatives to passive inaction and countering violence with more violence. Ann Suellentrop will speak on “Physicians of Social Responsibility.”
Other speakers will include KU Prof. David Kingsley, Molly Postlewait, Mary Lindsay, Ben Kjelshu, Tyler Cain and Val Baul and will conclude with “We Got Entertainment Too!”
Saturday’s opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a youth panel, a roundtable on Waste Management and programs on “Strugglers Hill: A People, A Community, Growing a Future in Their Neighborhood;” and Project Learning Tree featuring Wyandotte and F.L. Schlagle high schools.
The afternoon will include sessions on the Beyond Coal Campaign; Robotics with The Black Family Technology; and Building an Alliance for New Careers in STEM and addresses by Mary Lindsay on “When EXXON ‘Speaks,’ Politicians Listen” and Lora McDonald of the Kansas City Crime Commission.
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PHOTO: Dolores Daniels (left) and Doris Holleman (right) of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Child Care Center will be teaming with Kus’kari Womack and Richard Mabion of the “Breaking the Silence” planning committee as hosts of the 5th annual “Breaking the Silence” Conference to be held at the Jack Reardon Center Friday and Saturday. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Fifth-graders to take on KCK superintendent in two-mile run
They’re been running during recess, after school and on their own. They
are gearing up for a challenge from the Superintendent of Schools – and
they are getting physically fit in the process.
On April 6, teams of 15 fifth graders from each of the 30 elementary schools in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will be participating in the “Are You Faster Than a 5th Grader” 2-mile race against Superintendent Cynthia Lane, and other administrative staff.
The race will start at 10 a.m. at Kansas City Kansas Community College and will end at the Washington High School stadium. Following the two-mile race will be a relay at the Washington track that will involve both physical and academic challenges.
The purpose of the event is to promote wellness of the mind, body and spirit.
“Good overall health plays a critical role in learning for all students,” said Cynthia Lane. “So I worked with my staff to create an event that would challenge our students to get healthy and get fit. My understanding is that students have been training and preparing for this event for several months and I’m thrilled with they way they have embraced this challenge.”
Roads will be blocked for the race, and water and snack stations will be set up along the route.
Fifth graders who will not be running will gather at the Washington High School stadium to cheer on the runners as they cross the finish line. The top 15 fifthgraders will receive medals.
The school with the highest number of students who beat Lane will have their photo taken with Lane for a plaque.
On April 6, teams of 15 fifth graders from each of the 30 elementary schools in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will be participating in the “Are You Faster Than a 5th Grader” 2-mile race against Superintendent Cynthia Lane, and other administrative staff.
The race will start at 10 a.m. at Kansas City Kansas Community College and will end at the Washington High School stadium. Following the two-mile race will be a relay at the Washington track that will involve both physical and academic challenges.
The purpose of the event is to promote wellness of the mind, body and spirit.
“Good overall health plays a critical role in learning for all students,” said Cynthia Lane. “So I worked with my staff to create an event that would challenge our students to get healthy and get fit. My understanding is that students have been training and preparing for this event for several months and I’m thrilled with they way they have embraced this challenge.”
Roads will be blocked for the race, and water and snack stations will be set up along the route.
Fifth graders who will not be running will gather at the Washington High School stadium to cheer on the runners as they cross the finish line. The top 15 fifthgraders will receive medals.
The school with the highest number of students who beat Lane will have their photo taken with Lane for a plaque.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Piper forensics team earns individual honors at meet
Courtesy of Piper High School
The Piper Pirates forensics team recently competed in a competition at Shawnee Mission West.
Here's how they finished:
- Carley Zwart came in 6th place in prose interpretation.
- Mikala Sullivan came in 6th place in original oration.
- Kayla Jones came in 5th place in original oration.
- Chloe Bridge came in 4th place in informative speaking.
- Jessica Guilbeaux came in 4th place in prose interpretation.
- AJ McIntosh came in 3rd place in poetry interpretation.
- Jill Moore came in 2nd place in prose interpretation and qualified for state championships.
- Kayla Jones came in 1st place in prose interpretation and qualified for state championships.
- AJ McIntosh came in 1st place in original oration and qualified for state championships.
Kansas Legislature rejects school voucher program
By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World
A bill that would have provided tax credits for those who contributed to scholarships to send students to private schools was rejected by the House on Monday.
State Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Belleville, and chairman of the House Education Committee, said his bill would give parents an option if their child was not adapting well in public school. The student could take advantage of a scholarship and go to a private or parochial school, he said.
"Parents should have options for what is best for their children," Aurand said.
He was backed by legislators who were critical of public schools.
State Rep. Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe, said public schools were beset with over-paid administrators who wanted to have a monopoly education system.
Kiegerl said his grandchildren attend private schools that have small class sizes and offer advanced programs. "Why should a single black mother in Wyandotte County not have the same opportunity to send her child to the school my grandchildren go to?," he said.
But opponents of the bill, which failed on a 55-66 vote after a lengthy debate, said many poor people would have been unable to benefit from the program. The bill was targeted to 18 school districts with large numbers of low-income students. Lawrence was not one of the districts.
Private schools wouldn't be required to accept all students, and the scholarships, which would average about $4,000, would not be enough to pay the full tuition at many private schools, critics added.
State Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, tried to eliminate the bill and replace it with one that would raise public school funding by $150 million over two years to restore a portion of the cuts made to schools in recent years.
"I have a scholarship program for every child that enters public schools. I'm going to call it state aid," Ward said. His amendment failed.
Other opponents said giving tax credits would drain tax revenue to the state general fund that goes to public schools.
State Rep. Bob Brookens, R-Marion, said the measure was in conflict with the duty of the Legislature concerning public education. "Is it our duty to use tax dollars and tax policy to send Kansas money to private schools? Kansas was built on and Kansas will live or die on its public education," Brookens said.
State Rep. Bill Otto, R-LeRoy, said he feared that "schools that may not agree with your values or my values," could benefit from the proposal.
A bill that would have provided tax credits for those who contributed to scholarships to send students to private schools was rejected by the House on Monday.
State Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Belleville, and chairman of the House Education Committee, said his bill would give parents an option if their child was not adapting well in public school. The student could take advantage of a scholarship and go to a private or parochial school, he said.
"Parents should have options for what is best for their children," Aurand said.
He was backed by legislators who were critical of public schools.
State Rep. Mike Kiegerl, R-Olathe, said public schools were beset with over-paid administrators who wanted to have a monopoly education system.
Kiegerl said his grandchildren attend private schools that have small class sizes and offer advanced programs. "Why should a single black mother in Wyandotte County not have the same opportunity to send her child to the school my grandchildren go to?," he said.
But opponents of the bill, which failed on a 55-66 vote after a lengthy debate, said many poor people would have been unable to benefit from the program. The bill was targeted to 18 school districts with large numbers of low-income students. Lawrence was not one of the districts.
Private schools wouldn't be required to accept all students, and the scholarships, which would average about $4,000, would not be enough to pay the full tuition at many private schools, critics added.
State Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, tried to eliminate the bill and replace it with one that would raise public school funding by $150 million over two years to restore a portion of the cuts made to schools in recent years.
"I have a scholarship program for every child that enters public schools. I'm going to call it state aid," Ward said. His amendment failed.
Other opponents said giving tax credits would drain tax revenue to the state general fund that goes to public schools.
State Rep. Bob Brookens, R-Marion, said the measure was in conflict with the duty of the Legislature concerning public education. "Is it our duty to use tax dollars and tax policy to send Kansas money to private schools? Kansas was built on and Kansas will live or die on its public education," Brookens said.
State Rep. Bill Otto, R-LeRoy, said he feared that "schools that may not agree with your values or my values," could benefit from the proposal.
Monday, March 26, 2012
KCK man pleads guilty to federal sex trafficking charge
Kansas City, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to a federal sex trafficking
charge, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today. His plea agreement calls
for a sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
“Human trafficking is the modern form of slavery,” Grissom said. “As this case demonstrates, federal law provides us with powerful tools to fight against human trafficking.”
Larry Stinson, 27, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking.
In his plea, Stinson admitted that in January 2011 the Lenexa Police Department began an investigation into prostitution in Lenexa. Officers called a female identified as “Tatiyanna” who was advertising on a Web page under a section called Kansas City Escort.
The woman agreed to meet an officer at a residence in Lenexa and to have sex with him for $300.
When she arrived, she was accompanied by two other women. All three women were arrested. They are identified in court documents as AW, CC and TR.
The women told investigators they were forced to work for Stinson as prostitutes.
AW said she first met Stinson on Facebook and had consensual sex with him. He told her he would provide her with food, clothing and shelter if she worked for him as a prostitute. She said she was afraid of Stinson.
He carried a firearm and she saw him be physically abusive to CC. AW described an incident in which CC tried to run away from Stinson, after which he physically beat her to the point of unconsciousness.
TR said she knew AW from Bonner Springs High School. She said AW contacted her on Facebook. At the time, TR was in need of money to repair her car. AW told her she could make a lot of money in a short time and arranged for her to meet Stinson.
While TR worked for Stinson as a prostitute, she was not allowed to keep any of the money she earned.
CC described physical, verbal and psychological abuse she endured at the hands of Stinson. She said she met Stinson in July 2010 and they had a romantic relationship.
She and Stinson worked for a female pimp/prostitute who called herself “Baby Doll” and is identified in court papers as TJ. TJ taught Stinson how to use Internet to advertise for prostitution.
When CC began working for Stinson as a prostitute, he would split the money with her. She sometimes had sex with as many as 11 “johns” in a day.
Even when she tried to make up reasons for not working such as being in pain, Stinson and TJ would require her to work. One time when she tried to run away from him Stinson held a gun to her head and said he would kill her if she tried again.
Sometime in October 2010, Stinson left the partnership with TJ and began keeping all CC’s earnings himself. She described several incidents in which he beat her and took her across state lines to engage in prostitution.
The women were told to recruit other women from Facebook. Each time they recruited another female, Stinson would give them a night off work. He said his goal was to have the entire front page of an escort section of a Web page with “his girls.”
Sentencing is set for July 10. In the plea agreement, both parties agree to recommend a sentence of 120 months in federal prison.
Grissom commended the Lenexa Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
“Human trafficking is the modern form of slavery,” Grissom said. “As this case demonstrates, federal law provides us with powerful tools to fight against human trafficking.”
Larry Stinson, 27, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking.
In his plea, Stinson admitted that in January 2011 the Lenexa Police Department began an investigation into prostitution in Lenexa. Officers called a female identified as “Tatiyanna” who was advertising on a Web page under a section called Kansas City Escort.
The woman agreed to meet an officer at a residence in Lenexa and to have sex with him for $300.
When she arrived, she was accompanied by two other women. All three women were arrested. They are identified in court documents as AW, CC and TR.
The women told investigators they were forced to work for Stinson as prostitutes.
AW said she first met Stinson on Facebook and had consensual sex with him. He told her he would provide her with food, clothing and shelter if she worked for him as a prostitute. She said she was afraid of Stinson.
He carried a firearm and she saw him be physically abusive to CC. AW described an incident in which CC tried to run away from Stinson, after which he physically beat her to the point of unconsciousness.
TR said she knew AW from Bonner Springs High School. She said AW contacted her on Facebook. At the time, TR was in need of money to repair her car. AW told her she could make a lot of money in a short time and arranged for her to meet Stinson.
While TR worked for Stinson as a prostitute, she was not allowed to keep any of the money she earned.
CC described physical, verbal and psychological abuse she endured at the hands of Stinson. She said she met Stinson in July 2010 and they had a romantic relationship.
She and Stinson worked for a female pimp/prostitute who called herself “Baby Doll” and is identified in court papers as TJ. TJ taught Stinson how to use Internet to advertise for prostitution.
When CC began working for Stinson as a prostitute, he would split the money with her. She sometimes had sex with as many as 11 “johns” in a day.
Even when she tried to make up reasons for not working such as being in pain, Stinson and TJ would require her to work. One time when she tried to run away from him Stinson held a gun to her head and said he would kill her if she tried again.
Sometime in October 2010, Stinson left the partnership with TJ and began keeping all CC’s earnings himself. She described several incidents in which he beat her and took her across state lines to engage in prostitution.
The women were told to recruit other women from Facebook. Each time they recruited another female, Stinson would give them a night off work. He said his goal was to have the entire front page of an escort section of a Web page with “his girls.”
Sentencing is set for July 10. In the plea agreement, both parties agree to recommend a sentence of 120 months in federal prison.
Grissom commended the Lenexa Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
Ingram’s Magazine Selects Providence Associate and Saint John Oral Surgeon as 2012 “Heroes in Healthcare”
Ingram’s Magazine has named Joy Macek, C.N.A., an Emergency
Services tech with Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.; and
Larry Evans, D.D.S., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon on the Saint John
Hospital medical staff, Leavenworth, Kan., as 2012 “Heroes in
Healthcare.”
Macek was selected in the Professional Staff Achievement category and Dr. Evans in the Lifetime Service Achievement category. A profile and photograph of both was included in the February edition of Ingram’s. They also are being honored along with the other recipients at a special breakfast Feb. 25.
Joy Macek, C.N.A.—
For Joy Macek, a milestone birthday served as the motivation to step
outside her comfort zone and try something new. Macek began working in
health care more than 30 years ago at the former Bethany Medical Center,
first in patient registration and then as a unit secretary in the
Emergency Services department.
After Providence and Bethany became affiliated several years later, she transferred to the Providence Emergency Services department, again working as a unit secretary. But in the busy department, she longed to try something different. When she turned 50, she went back to school to become a certified nursing assistant and moved to a new position as an emergency services technician.
Now, she enjoys caring for a wide variety of patients and the challenge of meeting their needs every day. But most importantly, she has surprised herself by learning new skills. Her supervisor describes Macek as self-motivated and an exemplary employee, someone who excels at all she does.
Whether she is giving a patient a drink of water or covering them with a warm blanket, Macek says an unexpected reward to her position is how much her patients appreciate everything she does for them.
Larry Evans, D.D.S.—
Every winter for nearly 20 years Larry D. Evans, D.D.S., an oral and
maxillofacial surgeon with Saint John Hospital, has been traveling to a
poverty-stricken area of Jamaica called Lawrence Tavern. There, he and
several other health care professionals provide medical and dental care
for hundreds of area residents over a matter of days.
The residents Dr. Evans treats walk for miles just to stand in line to see the doctor. Working in the Forest and Eleanor Haggard medical and dental clinic built specifically for this purpose, Dr. Evans pulls 500 to 800 teeth and performs 50 to 60 surgeries a day during his trip.
Dr. Evans has been practicing dentistry in Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties for more than 30 years. While being active on the Providence and Saint John medical staffs, he served as the president of the Bethany Medical Center medical staff, and also was a hospital board director.
He also has served as a member of the Providence Saint John Foundation board; the Pittsburg State University Foundation board; and a board member of the Jamaica Partners Missionary Group. He also has served on the board of the Kansas City, Kan. Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of the board of Central Christian Church.
Macek was selected in the Professional Staff Achievement category and Dr. Evans in the Lifetime Service Achievement category. A profile and photograph of both was included in the February edition of Ingram’s. They also are being honored along with the other recipients at a special breakfast Feb. 25.
Joy Macek, C.N.A.—
For Joy Macek, a milestone birthday served as the motivation to step
outside her comfort zone and try something new. Macek began working in
health care more than 30 years ago at the former Bethany Medical Center,
first in patient registration and then as a unit secretary in the
Emergency Services department.After Providence and Bethany became affiliated several years later, she transferred to the Providence Emergency Services department, again working as a unit secretary. But in the busy department, she longed to try something different. When she turned 50, she went back to school to become a certified nursing assistant and moved to a new position as an emergency services technician.
Now, she enjoys caring for a wide variety of patients and the challenge of meeting their needs every day. But most importantly, she has surprised herself by learning new skills. Her supervisor describes Macek as self-motivated and an exemplary employee, someone who excels at all she does.
Whether she is giving a patient a drink of water or covering them with a warm blanket, Macek says an unexpected reward to her position is how much her patients appreciate everything she does for them.
Larry Evans, D.D.S.—
Every winter for nearly 20 years Larry D. Evans, D.D.S., an oral and
maxillofacial surgeon with Saint John Hospital, has been traveling to a
poverty-stricken area of Jamaica called Lawrence Tavern. There, he and
several other health care professionals provide medical and dental care
for hundreds of area residents over a matter of days.The residents Dr. Evans treats walk for miles just to stand in line to see the doctor. Working in the Forest and Eleanor Haggard medical and dental clinic built specifically for this purpose, Dr. Evans pulls 500 to 800 teeth and performs 50 to 60 surgeries a day during his trip.
Dr. Evans has been practicing dentistry in Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties for more than 30 years. While being active on the Providence and Saint John medical staffs, he served as the president of the Bethany Medical Center medical staff, and also was a hospital board director.
He also has served as a member of the Providence Saint John Foundation board; the Pittsburg State University Foundation board; and a board member of the Jamaica Partners Missionary Group. He also has served on the board of the Kansas City, Kan. Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of the board of Central Christian Church.
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